Some colleges and universities with distance learning programs offer their students the opportunity to watch a recorded lecture from one of their on-campus lectures. Many schools make DVDs for their distance learning students, and allow the students to keep them as a part of their tuition costs. Watching these DVD recordings of lectures is one activity that distance learning students can use to receive the more personalized and streamlined education that comes from being in an actual classroom.
Many colleges and universities with distance learning programs advise their students about opportunities for hands-on learning in their area. This type of advising is particularly common in distance learning programs for students who are interested in nursing. These schools will help their students find appropriate hands-on activities that they can then use to supplement their distance education. If you are interested in this type of distance learning activity, you should research your school and make sure the program has this tool available.
Many schools also use video or audio conferencing as an activity to help their distance learning students engage the material. With video conferencing, students use the internet and computer cameras to see everything that is going on in the classroom. With audio conferencing, students attend a conference call from their telephones. Both activities allow students to ask their professor questions and receive immediate answers.
Proctored exams are one of the most common distance learning activities. A proctored exam usually takes place at your local college or university or a testing center. Although many distance learning courses have online exams or don't require any exams at all, many courses also require students to take proctored exams. This activity helps to keep students honest about their academic work and refrain from using their textbooks or notes during the exam.